Lili Reinhart turned heads at The Love Hypothesis premiere in New York on 16 September, stepping onto the red carpet in an archival Elie Saab gown that drew enthusiastic praise from fans, although some Reddit commenters felt one part of the look was missing something.
The actress wore a floral-embellished Elie Saab design from the Spring 2004 Couture collection, with a plunging neckline and high slit giving the romantic gown added drama. She paired the statement dress with understated make-up and a simple hairstyle as she joined co-star Tom Bateman for the New York premiere.
While many commenters focused on the beauty of the gown, several turned their attention to Reinhart's hair and accessories. For some, the pared-back styling worked with the dreamy mood of the dress, while others wanted a more elaborate finish.
Lili Reinhart's Elie Saab Gown Wins Praise
Reinhart's choice of archival couture provided the biggest fashion statement of the evening, with its soft pink and green palette and intricate floral detailing giving the gown an almost painted quality.
That impression was shared by several commenters on Reddit's Fauxmoi subreddit. One wrote, 'i loveeeee. she looks like a monet painting', while another said the dress reminded them of 'a beautiful watercolour or oil painting'. Others singled out the colours, embellishment and overall romantic quality of the design.
The look also prompted comparisons with early-2000s fashion. One commenter wrote, 'Getting early 00s vibes and not mad about it', before suggesting butterfly clips. Another simply called for necklaces to make a comeback.
There was also praise for Reinhart's wider promotional wardrobe, with one commenter saying, 'Her stylist is killing it this press tour. So gorgeous.' Another praised stylist Ib Abdel Nasser by name, calling him 'a really great stylist'.
Other commenters were equally enthusiastic about the gown itself, with one describing it as 'the most beautiful thing i've ever seen' and another saying they were 'obsessed' with its use of beadwork and appliqué.
Many commenters praised the gown, although some also questioned elements of the styling. The more specific criticism centred on what happened above the neckline.
Fans Question Her Hair and Accessories
For some Reddit users, Reinhart's relatively simple hair did not provide enough contrast against the elaborate couture gown.
One commenter gave a mixed assessment, writing: 'Ooooh, so pretty. The hair is meh, but it goes well with the vibe of the dress so I get it.' The same user noted that Reinhart's promotional looks had generally been safe in terms of silhouettes while still describing them as 'fun and lively'.
Another commenter wanted more accessories and a different hairstyle, writing: 'The dress is lovely and so is the make-up, I wish she would accessorise more and do something a little different with her hair because I think some longer earrings and an updo would look great here.'
But one reaction was particularly blunt: 'The hair is soooo boring, and she keeps doing it. The dress and make-up are stunning!! They deserve better.'
The comments suggest that the criticism was focused on the styling rather than the gown itself. The Reddit users who raised the issue still praised the dress and make-up, but felt that an updo, longer earrings or additional jewellery could have given the overall appearance a stronger finish.
That view was not shared by everyone. Other users appeared perfectly happy with the understated approach, while several praised Reinhart's continued run of colourful and romantic looks throughout the film's promotional campaign.
The New York appearance comes as Reinhart promotes The Love Hypothesis, Prime Video's adaptation of Ali Hazelwood's best-selling romance novel. Reinhart and Bateman star as scientists who enter a fake relationship, with the film scheduled to stream globally on Prime Video from 23 September.
For Reinhart, the Elie Saab gown drew considerable praise from commenters, with many highlighting its colours and intricate detailing. But amid the admiration, her simple hairstyle became one of the more noticeable points of criticism, with some fans wishing the final touches had been just as elaborate as the dress.
